2001年8月TOEFL试题阅读部分及答案

Questions 20-28


The interrelationship of science, technology, and industry is taken for granted


today—summed up, not altogether accurately, as "research and development." Yet


historically this widespread faith in the economic virtues of science is a relatively recent


Line phenomenon, dating back in the United States about 150 years, and in the Western world


(5) as a whole not over 300 years at most. Even in this current era of large scale, intensive


research and development, the interrelationships involved in this process are frequently


misunderstood. Until the coming of the Industrial Revolution, science and technology


evolved for the most part independently of each other. Then as industrialization became


increasingly complicated, the craft techniques of preindustrial society gradually gave way


(10) to a technology based on the systematic application of scientific knowledge and scientific


methods. This changeover started slowly and progressed unevenly. Until late in the


nineteenth century, only a few industries could use scientific techniques or cared about


using them. The list expanded noticeably after 1870, but even then much of what passed


for the application of science was "engineering science" rather than basic science.


(15) Nevertheless, by the middle of the nineteenth century, the rapid expansion of scientific


knowledge and of public awareness-if not understanding-of it had created a belief that the


advance of science would in some unspecified manner automatically generate economic


benefits. The widespread and usually uncritical acceptance of this thesis led in turn to the


assumption that the application of science to industrial purposes was a linear process, starting


(20) with fundamental science, then proceeding to applied science or technology, and through


them to industrial use. This is probably the most common pattern, but it is not invariable. New


areas of science have been opened up and fundamental discoveries made as a result of


attempts to solve a specific technical or economic problem. Conversely, scientists who mainly


do basic research also serve as consultants on projects that apply research in practical ways.


(25) In sum, the science-technology-industry relationship may flow in several different ways, and


the particular channel it will follow depends on the individual situation. It may at times even


be multidirectional.


20. What is the author's main purpose in the passage?


(A) To show how technology influenced basic science


(B) To describe the scientific base of nineteenth-century American industries


(C) To correct misunderstandings about the connections between science, technology, and industry


(D) To argue that basic science has no practical application


21. The word "altogether" in line 2 is closest in meaning to


(A) completely


(B) realistically


(C) individually


(D) understandably


22. The word "intensive" in line 5 is closest in meaning to


(A) decreased


(B) concentrated


(C) creative


(D) advanced


23. The "list" mentioned in line 13 refers to


(A) types of scientific knowledge


(B) changes brought by technology


(C) industries that used scientific techniques


(D) applications of engineering science


24. The understanding of research and development in the late nineteenth century is based on which of the following?


(A) Engineering science is not very important.


(B) Fundamental science naturally leads to economic benefits.


(C) The relationship between research and development should be criticized.


(D) Industrial needs should determine what areas fundamental science focuses on.


25. The word "it" in line 16 refers to


(A) understanding


(B) public awareness


(C) scientific knowledge


(D) expansion


26. The word "assumption" in line 19 is closest in meaning to


(A) regulation


(B) belief


(C) contract


(D) confusion


27. Why does the author mention "consultants" in line 24 ?


(A) To show how new areas of science have given rise to new professions


(B) To distinguish between scientists who work in industry and those who do not


(C) To explain the ways in which scientists find financial support for their work


(D) To show how scientists who work in basic research contribute to applied science

28. Which of the following statements does the passage support?


(A) The development of science and of industry is now interdependent.


(B) Basic scientific research cannot generate practical applications.


(C) Industries should spend less money on research and development.


(D) Science and technology are becoming more separate.